What Is This Rock? EarthCache
Hidden : 04/28/2015
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Congrats to Ninja Wendy for the FTF!


Log requirements: Please email your answers and do not post them in your found log. Logs without emailed answers will be deleted.

1. Besides Lockport Dolomite, which type of sedimentary rock do you think this is of the three types in the cache listing below?
2. How tall and how wide do you think this rock is?
3. Optional - submit a picture of yourself with the rock.

This rock is a Lockport Dolomite. Lockport Dolomite or Dolostone is a kind of sedimentary rock that is found around Western New York, pats of Ontario and west into parts of Michigan. Sedimentary rocks are formed when there is a buildup of sediments. As the sediments build up they slowly cement themselves together to form stone.

There are three main types of sedimentary rocks:

1.) The first type is clastic sedimentary rocks. Clasts are pieces of rocks. These pieces are loosened by weather and then when they break free they get stuck to other rocks. This is how clastic sedimentary rocks are formed. The broken pieces of these rocks all come together to form a larger rock that is the sedimentary rock. This includes rocks like sandstone and shale. They are formed by mechanical weathering debris. Stones made from a base of sand are sandstone, while those with a base of clay are claystone or mudrock.



2.) The second type is chemical sedimentary rocks. These include rocks like rock salt and some types of limestone. These are formed by dissolved materials precipitate from solution. A great place to see this type of rock is in caves; stalactites and stalagmites are examples of chemical sedimentary rocks.



3.) The third type is organic sedimentary rocks, or biologic sedimentary rocks. This type includes coal and some types of limestone which form from the accumulation of plant or animal debris. This type of rock is made up of leaves, shells, roots, small animals, anything that is organic. This buildup of debris slowly compresses and cements together forming the rock. Many examples of rocks in this category are used as fuel.



Dolostone is formed when limestone is changed by magnesium rich groundwater. This process leaves several holes in the limestone which then other mineral and debris become deposited in. Fossils are found well preserved in these rocks. Lockport Dolomite was one of the major rocks that had to be dug through in order to build the Erie Canal. You can see the Erie Canal across the river from this rock. Today, dolostone is mined for many uses.

Sources
http://geology.com/rocks/sedimentary-rocks.shtml
http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/rxmin/rock2.html
http://scienceviews.com/geology/sedimentary.html

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